Friday, October 28, 2016

On our way to Karuizawa, our first stop was at Oni Oshidashi Park. I had been here quite a few years ago during the winter but it would be the first time for my wife and friends. This park is similar to Idaho state's Craters of the Moon Monument and Preserve as it was created by the flow of lava. As written on the Tourist Guide of Gunma Prefecture website, "Lava formed this work of art when Mt. Asama-yama erupted in 1783. Its name comes from the impressions of the people of the time, who said it looked like a devil had turned violent in the crater and pushed out the rocks."

軽井沢行方面に行きながら次の目的地に到着。鬼押出し園。僕は何年か前に来たことありますが、妻と友達は初めて見る場所。アメリカアイダホ州にあるCraters of the Moon National Monument and Preserveと似た様なところです。溶岩から出来上がった珍しい風景。群馬県公式サイトの説明では"天明3（1783）年、浅間山の大噴火で流れ出した溶岩の芸術が楽しめます。"公園の名前の由来について、噴火当時街の人々が怒った鬼が岩を押し出した様に見えたと言われてる。

Ernie demon / アーに鬼

Beautiful scenery / 美しい風景

Hanging out with a demon / 鬼とふれあい

I see a lone tree grew upon one of the rocks.

岩の上に孤独な木を発見。

You cannot tell from the picture above but in the shadows where moss grows, it appears if the moss shines a light.

上記の写真でわかりませんが影の中に苔が光る。

Leave it to the Japanese to build a shrine among the lava rock.

溶岩の中に神社を立てるのは凄い日本的ですね。

Hand purification basin / 手水舎

The water here is pure and drinkable.

ここの水は綺麗で飲めます。

I wasn't sure what these people were doing until I took a closer look.

大勢の人が岩の前でなにをやってるのかわからなかった。近づくと岩に一円玉を入れてる。

I placed the coin in the middle of the picture.

自分もやってみた。

Kaneiji Temple Mount Asama Kannon-do / 寛永寺浅間山観音堂

Temple Seal / 御朱印

Beer break / ビールの時間

I see a ferris wheel in the distance.

観覧車を発見。

There was more to explore but we decided to head back to the entrance and have lunch.

見所まだありましたが、入口のほうに戻って昼食を取ることにした。

Little demons on the rock!

岩の上に可愛い鬼たちが！

A variety of teas to taste. I only tried the one on the very right, the plum and pepper tea. The others that were available were soba tea, shiitake mushroom tea, and kelp tea.

いろんな茶が試飲出来る。自分は一番右側のとうがらし梅茶を飲んてみた。結構美味しかった。

Lunch at [Oni Kazan].

「鬼火山」でランチ。

Ramen menu / ラーメンメニュー

My wife and I ordered the "Lava Ramen", a spicy miso ramen.

僕と妻は火山ラーメンを注文。火山と言っても辛味噌ラーメンでした。

Yukio's order, miso chashu men.

幸男が注文したのは味噌チャーシュー麺。

While Reiko ordered the shio ramen.

玲子は塩ラーメンをチョイス。

More demons.

鬼があちこちに居る。

Mount Asama / 浅間山

Our next stop will be Kumano Jinja on which sits in both Gunma and Nagano Prefectures. Our travels continue...